The Genus MussaendaFamily Rubiaceae

Several Mussaenda species are cultivated for their showy floral bracts. The names are confusing in this genus. Some scientists say that the genus Mussaenda includes over one hundred species in Africa and Asia. Some divide the genus into three or more genera, including Pseudomussaenda. The Rubiaceae family is one of the largest plant families, variously reported as number four or five. Some other familiar members of the family are buttonbush (Cephalanthus,) coffee (Coffea,) gardenia (Gardenia,) firebush (Hamelia,) bluets (Houstonia,) pentas (Pentas) and ixora (Ixora.)

Mussaenda flava

Mussaenda flava

yellow mussaenda This is a tropical shrub that can grow to ten feet tall. In warm climates, it is evergreen and nearly ever-flowering. Dark green foliage provides a perfect back drop for each large, pale yellow to white bract that stands behind each cluster of bright yellow flowers. Butterflies are attracted to the flowers. It grows and flowers well in part shade in reasonably moist, well-drained sites. Cold hardiness reports vary considerably. Many references state that it is a plant for zone 9 and south. In cooler climates, it is an attractive, long-flowering summer annual. This plant has many names in garden literature. I see it listed as Mussaenda incana, M. luteola and Pseudomussaenda flava. Also, I have seen it listed mistakenly as Mussaenda philipica, a related species that has a light yellow bract and bright orange flower (see photo below.) Plants are available sometimes in local nurseries. Plants are propagated easily by stem cuttings. Presumably, plants are propagated by seeds, too.I purchased my plant to use as a potted summer annual in zone 9a and was surprised when it survived winters outdoors in the container. A low in the low 30's F defoliates the plant and kills twig tips. A low in the mid- to upper 20's kills the plant back to the ground. So far, my potted plant has recovered from winter lows in the low 20's without protection. It resprouts in early to mid-May and begins flowering again in early June.

Mussaenda flava

other Mussaenda species

Mussaenda x 'Dona Luz'

Mussaenda erythrophylla is a scrambling shrub with bright red bracts that is less cold hardy than M. flava but serves well as a summer annual north of zone 9b. Showy hybrids may be found in south Florida nurseries and a few mail order catalogs. A Philippine hybrid, 'Dona Luz' is a popular selection with massive clusters of salmon-pink bracts and yellow flowers that are produced throughout the growing season. 'Queen Sirkit' is similar in appearance. The orange-flowered 'Marmalade' is reported to be one of the cold-hardier hybrids. They flower in summer and the showy bracts may be white, pink, peach, orange or red in color. While they are much smaller than the showy bracts, the flowers may be contrasting colors that add some sparkle to the inflorescence. Flowers may be white, yellow or orange. In colder climates, these plants may be used as dramatic, large summer annuals - if they can be found. Stem cuttings may be rooted in summer.

My 'Dona Luz' dropped its leaves and bracts after a couple of cold, windy nights with a low of 37 degrees F. A plant at the University of North Florida survived a very mild winter outdoors in which the low temperature was 32 degrees F.